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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Belinda tells Amma that she should attend the traditional event called the Ghanafoo for whose sake?

2. How many students had been present at the seminar at which Amma met Roisin?

3. The narrator states that Belinda had started working in Aunty and Uncle's house at the same time as which other character?

4. Belinda that she believes she will miss "how quickly and dramatically" Mary's what appears able to change?

5. What action does Belinda take in relation to seeing the coffin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Amma and in what ways does she act as a foil to Belinda?

2. What sort of coping mechanism does Belinda herself long to use after she is "attacked" (80) with Amma's teddy bear?

3. What are the positive aspects that Belinda will miss about Mary?

4. What contrast does Belinda see between Amma's appearance and her scent?

5. What sort of coping mechanism does Belinda suggest as a remedy for Mary's unhappiness?

6. What types of clues does Donkor provide to suggest that Mary might have endured trauma in her past?

7. What is the symbolism of the oily rag?

8. What does the kitchen sink symbolize in relation to Mary and Belinda's relationship?

9. What simile does Mary employ in order to describe her idea of an automaton lifestyle?

10. Describe Donkor's use of allusion within Chapter 9.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Housegirl and one of the novel's main messages. How does Donkor make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help them get across one main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Sensory details are used frequently by Donkor in order to create vivid pictures of each character's progression through the narrative of Housegirl. Choose three scenes in which sensory details are heavily used and discuss how the sensory details used serve Donkor’s creation of vivid characters to populate the narrative.

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Housegirl while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,187 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample